French coach Laurent Frayssinous reinforced the history of the IRL Rugby League World Cup to his players as they prepared for arguably the most important match in France’s recent history.
France claimed the ninth spot in next year’s World Cup after beating Jamaica 36-0 in a RLWC2026 play-off at Albi on Saturday, with the 10th and final berth between Cook Islands and South Africa on November 9 at CommBank Stadium.
Frayssinous and FFRXIII director of rugby Trent Robinson assembled their strongest possible team in a bid to ensure the World Cup founders didn’t miss out for the first time.
Among the squad was rookie Sydney Roosters centre Enzo Griffiers and Canterbury Bulldogs forward Louis Grossemy, who made 15 NSW Cup appearances this season. Both have graduated from the French Under 19s team.
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Rugby League World Cup 2026 spots on the line
There were also players drawn from English Super League clubs, including Hull KR premiership winning playmaker Arthur Mourgue, Hull FC-bound centre Arthur Romano and York Knights forward Justin Sangare, as well as a large contingent from Catalans, headed by Ben Garcia.
After hopes for a Test against Australia as part of the first Kangaroo Tour in 22-years fell through, the French squad spent two days training with the World Cup holders in London to prepare for the RLWC2026 qualifier against Jamaica.
“Every French player who can play is playing. They love being in camp and Laurent has created a really good environment, so it was a good investment from the French Rugby League because they don’t get any return on that compared to a game.
“Our leaders got to spend some time with their leaders at the hotel and then we got to train against them twice. It was really good to see the level, pick up a few things and then we came into camp in Albi on Tuesday.”
FFRXIII director of rugby Trent Robinson with Kangaroos assistant coach Willie Peters at an opposed training session between the two teams.
©Grant Trouville/NRL Photos
After forfeiting the hosting rights for RLWC2025, France found themselves having to qualify for the World Cup, which was pushed back a year and reduced from 16 teams to 10.
They won the European qualifying tournament last year for the right to take on Jamaica, the Americas qualifier, before a capacity 8000 crowd.
Fraysinnous ensured that the players understand the significance of the match, with France having played in every World Cup since the concept was founded by in 1954 by legendary French administrator Paul Barrière, after whom the trophy is named.
“We have fought our way through and we have played good footy to get to here but really this is the only game that counts now,” Robinson said.
French players spent two days in camp with the Kangaroos.
©Grant Trouville/NRL Photos
“We know the history of it, Laurent has been great at re-enforcing the history of the World Cup and what that means to us, and why there is a French rooster on the World Cup.
“We want to get in there and play and represent now but we want to continue that standing in the game. We want to be one of the other leading countries in the world of rugby league and to do that we have got to win.”
Jamaica were looking to compete in their second consecutive World Cup and have included former Rugby 7s international Jack Rampton, who impressed at the NRL Vegas Combine earlier this year.
Former Jamaica Rugby 7s star Jack Rampton as the 2025 NRL Vegas Combine
©Jackal Creative
Rampton, who is from London and has Jamaican heritage, spent time with Hull FC this season has been compared to England and Newcastle Knights winger Dom Young.
France (alphabetical)
Louis Grossemy (Canterbury Bulldogs), Guillermo Aispuro Bichet, Julian Bousquet, Alrix Da Costa, Leo Darrelatour, Jordan Dezaria, Theo Fages, Benjamin Garcia, Romain Navarrete, Cesar Rouge, Arthur Romano, Paul Seguier, Ugo Tison, Fouad Yaha (Catalans Dragons), Arthur Mourgue (Hull KR), Justin Sangare (Salford Red Devils), Enzo Griffier (Sydney Roosters), Anthony Marion (Toulouse Olympique), Mathieu Cozza (Wakefield Trinity).
Jamaica (alphabetical)
Delaine Gittens-Bedward (Barrow Raiders), Joshua Hudson-Lett (Bedford Tigers), Dec Tomlinson, Keenen Tomlinson (Dewsbury Rams), Isaac Coleman (East Leeds ARLFC), Leo Skerrett-Evans (Keighley Cougars), James Woodburn-Hall (Halifax Panthers), Ashton Golding, Kieran Rush (Huddersfield Giants), Jimmy Morgan (Hunslet ARLFC) Chris Ball (London Broncos), Keenan Ramsden (Mullumbimby Giants) Jordan Andrade (Rochdale Hornets), Jamin Williams (St Mary’s), AJ Wallace (Toulouse Olympique), Ben Jones-Bishop (York Knights) Harlen Smith (Wigan Warriors), Jack Rampton (Unattached).